News & Events

We are excited to showcase the expansion of the Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC) and all it has to offer our region. 

As construction nears completion, we have decided to postpone the grand opening celebration to make the most of some unforeseen delays. This decision reflects our commitment to prioritizing that every aspect of the facility is ready to shine as we prepare the campus to support our learners' educational and career goals. 
We look forward to announcing a new date for the celebration in spring 2025. 

Thank you for your understanding.

 

The Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus (PV-TEC), part of the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 (PCSD 25), learned Wednesday that it has been awarded a $6.5 million grant from the Idaho Career Ready Students (ICRS) program. The grant represents the largest award during the second round of grants this year.

The Idaho Career Ready Students Program Council met Wednesday and approved 11 of 41 proposals for career technical program grants for schools and districts across Idaho. Created during the March 2023 legislative session, the Career Ready Students Program, HB267, carved out $45 million to incentivize “districts to create instruction that provides focused training to prepare students to meet the needs of local industry and workforce partners.”

PCSD 25 plans to use the $6.5 million grant to fund the expansion of the PV-TEC facility, which the district purchased in 2022. The grant was submitted on behalf of PV-TEC by Rhonda Naftz, the school’s administrator and Sue Pettit, the district’s Director of Secondary Education.
Naftz, who has been instrumental in executing the district’s vision for career technical education and career path programming, said, “I am incredibly grateful to the State of Idaho and the grant committee for embracing the PV-TEC vision. The ICRS grant award of $6.5 million will build classrooms and shops for learners to gain industry skills and knowledge while in high school. Our CTE students gain a community of like-minded learners and a place of belonging. This facility and the learning that takes place inside of it will offer opportunities for generations of Idahoans.”
According to a press release from the Idaho State Department of Education, the council favored PV-TEC because this was the only area in Idaho without a regional Career Technical Center. PV-TEC will serve students from communities that do not have facilities in their own area to access CTE training.

The ICRS program reflects a historic $45 million investment in Idaho CTE. Grants are designed to increase the capacity of CTE in middle and high schools (grades 7 – 12) across the state by incentivizing districts to create programs that prepare students to meet local and regional industry workforce needs. ICRS funds are separate from the Division of Career Technical Education and reduce reliance on federal funds for CTE programs.

The council received over $26.5 million in requests — 13 received for existing programs, 19 for new programs, and nine for capital project support (new facilities or significant improvements to existing facilities). The bulk of financial requests, $23.5 million, fell under support for capital projects.
 

Lookout Credit Union is excited to share the funds we've raised in John McCarthy's honor with Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 as we usher in a fresh school year. This year, the 20th Annual John McCarthy Memorial Golf Tournament broke all records by raising an incredible $33,000! These funds will once again be lovingly dedicated to the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 High School Extracurricular Activities Fund, all in cherished memory of John McCarthy.

This contribution means that each local high school will receive $11,000 to empower students to engage in a variety of extracurricular activities. A standing ovation is in order for our tournament's presenting sponsor, Cole Chevrolet and Cole Nissan Kia. Your steadfast partnership and commitment continue to be the driving force behind this annual success story. And to everyone who participated, thank you for making this year extra special.

#MoreTogether

Please join us in congratulating Cassie Atwood, who was selected as the new curriculum coordinator. Atwood will be stepping into the role following the retirement of Kathy Luras, who has dedicated many years of exemplary service to the district.

Cassie Atwood brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence to her new position. She holds a Bachelor of Art in Secondary Education (2012) with a major in Political Science and minors in Geology and Social Studies, as well as a Master’s in Education Administration (2018). Atwood has served at Century High School for the past 12 years, where she spent six years in the classroom and six years as the Academic Assistant Principal.

Throughout her tenure at Century High School, Atwood has demonstrated extensive administrative expertise, particularly in leading the school’s special education program. She is passionate about the implementation of Visible Learning in classrooms and is a certified Restorative Practices Trainer through the International Institute of Restorative Practices. Her dedication to meeting the district’s curriculum vision ensures that every learner has equal access to high quality, research-based instructional materials aligned with the written curriculum and taught by skillful, highly effective teachers.

PCSD 25 Superintendent Dr. Douglas Howell expressed his enthusiasm for Atwood’s new role, stating, “We are excited to welcome Cassie Atwood as our new curriculum coordinator. Her extensive experience and passion for education make her an ideal fit for this role. We also express our gratitude to Kathy Luras for her outstanding contributions to the district’s curriculum over the years.”

Atwood shared her excitement about her new role, saying, “I am honored to take on the position of curriculum coordinator and continue the great work that has been done. I look forward to collaborating with the talented educators in our district to ensure every student receives the highest quality education.”

When not at work, Atwood enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their dogs, riding UTVs, boating, and traveling.

The administrative change will go into effect on July 1, 2024.

Please join us in congratulating Scott Eldredge on his selection as the Principal of Ellis Elementary School. Eldredge is replacing current Principal, Denise Lane.

Scott Eldredge, born in Pocatello, graduated from Century High School in 2005. He pursued higher education at Idaho State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in 2011, followed by a Master's in Athletic Administration in 2014 and principal’s endorsement in 2023.

Scott started teaching science at Century High School in 2011. Apart from teaching, he is also a football coach, a member of the Building Leadership Team (BLT), chairs the Response to Intervention committee, and contributes to the biology unit development team.

Beyond his professional commitments, Eldredge coaches youth basketball, football, and soccer teams, instilling valuable life lessons of teamwork and discipline in young athletes.

Family time is a top priority for Scott. He spends much of his time skiing, camping, and playing basketball in the driveway with his wife and two young boys.

“With deep roots in our community and school district, we welcome Scott’s dedication to educational excellence and look forward to a future of growth and innovation under his guidance to Think More, Learn More, and Be MORE Together,” said PCSD 25 Superintendent, Dr. Douglas Howell. “We express our heartfelt gratitude to Denise Lane for her outstanding service.”

The administrative change will go into effect on July 1, 2024.

Congratulations to Roz, a Pre-K learner, and Mason, an 11th grade learner attending Century High School, who were chosen as the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 March C.A.K.E. award recipients. C.A.K.E. stands for Character, Attitude, Kindness and Encouragement.

Roz was nominated by her teacher, Mrs. Jordan Proctor. In her nomination letter, Mrs. Proctor wrote, “I would like to nominate Roz for the CAKE award for the joy, positivity, and kindness she shows to her teachers and classmates. Roz is always excited to come to school and eager to interact with her classmates. She greets us all by name and knows when someone is absent; she asks if they will be coming and if they are okay. She is a helper to peers who may need more support and loves to cheer them on when they are successful with difficult tasks. Roz is a great student and an example to me of someone with great character, attitude, unending kindness, and encouragement.”

Mason was nominated by Mrs. Jessica Woodland, Mrs. Cindy Youngstrom and Mr. Scott Eldredge. 

In her nomination letter, Mrs. Woodland wrote, “When I think of Mason, I think of a happy person. Every time I see Mason he has a big smile on his face. No matter what's happening in his life, he's always happy and pleasant. He is such a joy to be around.”

Mrs. Youngstrom wrote, “I would like to nominate Mason Dalton for the CAKE award because of his ongoing positive attitude under extremely difficult conditions. On the heels of his mother's unexpected passing, Mason's father began having life-threatening medical issues. During the last two years, Mason's positive attitude and cheery disposition have been inspiring for me to witness. With every hardship, Mason responds with positivity, jumping in to help solve, or at least lighten the family's burdens. Another valiant virtue Mason demonstrates is his love and loyalty to family. Because of dire circumstances, Mason's siblings went to live with extended family out of state. However, Mason chose to remain with his dad so he could support him and help him. Mason also cites that he has found comfort in his high school community and didn't want to leave Century. I smile every time I hear Mason lovingly refer to his father as "The Big Guy" and he is dedicated to serving him every chance he gets. Mason's attendance and grades have slipped at times because of the home life burdens he bears but he never gives up and he always comes back to being a student in good standing. I could give example after example of why Mason deserves this recognition but instead, I will leave you with a list of the virtues this young man lives every single day. Kindness, Love, Loyalty, Optimism, Patience, Perseverance, Resilience, Sacrifice, Service, Strength, Wisdom. I am honored to watch this young man navigate life's relentless beat down and always come out of it with a smile on his face!”

Mr. Eldredge wrote, “In my many years as an educator, I have had the pleasure of being around some incredible students. Mason stands out among those incredible students with his infectious, positive attitude. Every day he is in class, he has positively impacted his peers and myself. He faces each challenge life throws at him with optimism. As a teacher, it is my goal to offer hope and inspiration to my students, however, it's a special occurrence when a student like Mason becomes the source of hope and inspiration. Mason's ability to spread positivity and joy makes him extremely deserving of this award!”

Roz and Mason were recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, March 12,, 2024. McDonald's provides each learner and their nominators with a gift card, along with $50 to purchase books for the school’s media center in the recipients’ names. 

PCSD 25 believes a safe, supportive, caring and respectful environment is critical to student learning. The District Education Foundation, in partnership with the local Johnson Family McDonald’s, supports the Learner-of-the-Month C.A.K.E. Award to recognize students who show great character.  The district recognizes one elementary learner and one secondary learner from October through May. Nominations for the C.A.K.E. Award are submitted by a teacher who has observed the nominee’s behavior, and are approved by the school’s principal. 

Join us for a district wide high school job fair 6-8pm April 4, 2024 at Century High School Commons 

Talk to your College & Career Advisors for more information.

Parents and High School students are invited to join us for this event.